Roccamontepiano between Montepiano and Vino cotto

Roccamontepiano brings together the landscape of Montepiano, historic religious buildings and distinctive culinary traditions. If you would like to combine experiences of nature, cultural history and a seasonal festival, the town offers several clearly distinct points of interest. The key consideration is which focus you want to give the most space to during your trip and when choosing your accommodation.

Montepiano: Hiking Trail, Views and Distinctive Landscapes

The D3 hiking trail passes close to the Torre di Polegra and then reaches the Montepiano picnic area. For planning your day, the trail thus combines a historic point of interest with a facility that brings together a place to take a break and views of the landscape. It is a natural viewpoint with benches, fire pits and fountains, offering a view of the Valle dell’Alento. Its landscape is characterised by oak trees, hornbeams, manna ashes and predominantly grass-covered areas.

The travertine bedrock of Montepiano serves as a large water reservoir and supplies the forest below with streams and drinking-water springs. In the lower part of Roccamontepiano, steep, sun-exposed clay hills have formed the Calanchi d’Abruzzo through rill erosion.

Religious Buildings and Craft History

The Monastero di San Pietro is one of the historic religious buildings that survived the destruction of old Roccamontepiano. The Church of San Rocco was rebuilt as a shrine in the 1950s; the Grotta di San Rocco contains a terracotta statue depicting Saint Roch. The Convento di San Francesco in Roccamontepiano was founded in 1421.

The Museo G. Lisio in Contrada Terranova is a permanent weaving workshop; it covers fibre production, spinning, weaving and dyeing. Visits are possible by prior arrangement. The landscape around Roccamontepiano also contains remains of the Centurelle–Montesecco sheep track. The cultural points of interest thus range from religious buildings and crafts to traces of historic routes.

Local Traditions and Festivals

Cotta di Roccamontepiano is a traditional technique for cooking grape must, preserved by a local cooperative. The celebration of San Giovanni in Roccamontepiano includes a torchlight procession from the rocky cliffs of Montepiano. The Palio dei fuochi is a tradition that revives old rural customs and the veneration of Saint John the Baptist. At the beginning of November, the annual Vino cotto festival takes place in the historic centre, with tastings, music, folklore and walks in the forest.

Choosing Accommodation to Suit Your Travel Plans

When choosing your accommodation, you can first determine the focus of your trip: nature, religious buildings, crafts or local festivals lead to different daily itineraries. For hotels and other accommodation, then check which type of accommodation and location suit your own plans.

More Destinations for Your Travel Planning

If you would like to compare your selection with other places: Marina di San Vito, Marina Di Vasto, Altino, Ortona, Casalbordino, Montazzoli, Lanciano, Pollutri.

For the higher-level travel overview: Chieti.